Finance Committee Meeting – Budget Presentations – August 14, 2026

The Jackson City Council Finance Committee met at 10:01 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, to hear FY2027 budget presentations from four city partners: the Jackson-Hinds Library System, Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JAA), Jackson Public Schools (JPS), and the Jackson Redevelopment Authority (JRA). The meeting concluded with announcements about the next budget hearing. Note: The transcript refers to Hinds County as 'Heinz County' and the Jackson-Hinds Library System as 'Jackson Hines Library System.'

Library System Budget Presentation

• Library Director Jean Williams presented, noting the system includes 12 libraries—five within Jackson and seven in smaller county municipalities. The FY25 audit is complete; the library's fiscal year is October 1–September 30.
• Williams reported that year-to-date, libraries served over 300,000 people, circulated 114,000 physical materials and 35,000 digital materials. Per-capita funding is $18.50, less than half the national average of $41; a $30 per capita minimum would yield a $6.8 million budget versus the current $4.2 million.
• She emphasized that revenues have been flat for decades, operating costs are rising, and facilities need immediate investment. The system became structurally unsustainable as far back as 2014–2016, with reserves depleted by 2019 when payroll was nearly missed before Christmas. County funding has been cut by about $500,000 over the last decade.
• Williams requested level funding from the city and stressed that the library has no control over buildings; by statute, library funds cannot be used for renovation or construction. A $1.5 million city endowment with the Community Foundation of Mississippi will soon produce dividends but must be managed through city finance.
• She is developing a sustainability framework using population, demographics, transit times, and usage data to make data-driven decisions about the future configuration of libraries.
• Council members (Mr. Hartley, Mr. Grizzell, and others) expressed concern that the city equalizes funding although only 5 of 12 branches are in Jackson. Mr. Hartley suggested the county should perhaps pay more and questioned whether an independent Jackson library system would be viable; Williams called decoupling 'a disaster' due to shared assets and the 1986 agreement.
• Discussion of specific facilities: The McDowell Road library is closed and city-owned; the city is responsible for maintenance. The Margaret Walker Alexander Library, while heavily used, has severe deficiencies (roof, foundation, mold, suspected asbestos); Williams said renovation would cost millions and may not be a sound investment. The city is also considering a HUD-funded downtown branch (approximately $3.75–4 million) at Udorah Welty; funds must be drawn down within eight years, and a plan is needed quickly.
• Council members suggested better coordination: quarterly meetings with public works, exploring security partnerships with the county, and having library representation at facility discussions. The chair noted an asset inventory and special hearing by end of April.

Airport Authority Budget Presentation

• CEO Rosa Beckett and interim CFO Jana Green presented. The authority receives no city operating funding, but the city co-sponsors federal grants; Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport has four airlines (American, Delta, Southwest, United) and up to 28 flights daily, plus Hawkins Field.
• FY2027 budget: operating revenue $26.2 million, operating expenses $23.9 million (0.27% increase), net operating income $2.26 million. Headcount is 119, down from strategic reductions.
• Enplanements are projected at 610,000 (3.43% decrease) and landing weights down 2.98%, with airlines being conservative due to fuel costs, weather, and war-related uncertainty.
• Parking is the largest revenue source (9.2 million of $12.94 million ground transportation/parking). The authority gives airlines a $2.12 million credit to keep terminal rates at 109.70 cents/sq ft vs. a calculated 133.13 cents; landing fees are $5.89 vs. a calculated rate with $2.23 million credit.
• Debt stands at approximately $15.9 million principal with annual payments around $2.2 million.
• Capital budget is $34 million, mostly grants. A $19–20 million Department of Defense (referred to as 'Department of War' in transcript) grant is sought for the airport's aging water system, which serves the 172nd Air National Guard; the authority owns/operates the system. If the grant fails, the capital budget drops by $19 million.
• Council members praised the airport's leadership, marketing, and facility improvements, and asked about the water system and future terminal/security checkpoint plans.

Jackson Public Schools Budget Presentation

• CFO/COO Earl Burke, School Board President Barbara Hilliard, Board VP Mitch McGuffey, and Deputy Superintendent William Merritt presented. JPS employs about 3,000 staff, operates 23 elementary, 7 middle, and 6 high schools, and projects 16,943 students (budgeted on 16,096). The total budget is approximately $401 million, balanced.
• Revenue sources: local $135M, state $131M, federal $70M, 16th section $1.1M; about $10M from fund balance/other financing. Debt service is $44M. Administrative costs are 3.61% of the budget.
• Graduation rate is 85.4%, with a goal of 90% by 2029.
• Strategic investments include $3.9M for high-dosage math tutoring, $2.9M classroom smart boards, $7.73M technology/software upgrades (Windows 11), $7.5M pay increases, $3.6M recruitment, $1.06M professional development, $4.5M deferred maintenance, and $23.3M for facility construction/demolition, including a planned $20M natatorium at the Hardy complex.
• Repurposing: 16 closed facilities are being marketed; Chastain sold to Redeemer Church, Marshall sold, Poindexter under contract, and Wingfield remains available after a prior deal fell through. JPS has a proposal process on its website.
• Council members discussed middle school performance (a district and statewide challenge), English learner growth (JPS had the largest increase among Council of Great City Schools districts), enrollment outreach, the new state attendance policy (required presence rises from 63% to 66% of the school day), staffing, and building maintenance. Councilman Hartley raised concerns about grass and the Jim Hill cemetery/road; Ms. Brown Thomas asked about dress code enforcement—JPS provides uniforms at elementary/middle schools and is working on a high school clothing closet.

Jackson Redevelopment Authority Budget Presentation

• Mr. Lawson, JRA's new leader (about 100 days in), presented a request of $443,000—the same as the prior year minus $200,000 in debt service that ended. Last year's request was $6 million.
• JRA's strategy: use public land, financing tools, and partnerships to get projects moving, with a focus on housing, major projects, activation (pop-ups, events), and earned revenue. Over 15 years Jackson built under 1,500 homes vs. an average of 10,000 in peer cities.
• Recent actions: purchased first tax-forfeited property in Midtown to test a new approach; sold nine properties to LaFleur Construction (July 30) for new homes near TV Road in South Jackson; working on Ferris Street redevelopment (40+ parcels) with an RFP at end of August and goal to sell by December/January; applying for $3.6 million in funding to demolish the Atmos Building.
• Budget: $2.25 million in revenue, with $443,000 (19%) from the city; property-related revenue is budgeted at $1.08 million, up from $699,000. Expenses match revenue; Union Station costs $550,000/year to operate, with nearly all city funding going to that facility. Parking garages have up to $300,000 in additional earning potential.
• Council members asked about housing construction costs, appraisals, and incentives; Mr. Hartley raised concerns about security cameras at Union Station and state agencies dropping off unhoused individuals there. JRA is coordinating with JPD/JTRAN and has pictures to share. Councilman (chair) praised the plan and set next year's budget presentation as the follow-up test.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken; the committee received presentations and asked questions.
• The library request (level funding) and JRA request ($443,000) will be considered in the city budget process.
• The city plans an asset inventory and special hearing by end of April to assess facilities, including library properties.
• JPS will provide a list and status of closed school facilities and coordinate with the city's blight cleanup efforts; a meeting with JPS custodial staff was requested.
• JRA will release the Ferris Street RFP by end of August and continue working with the planning department on demolition and open-space uses.
• The finance committee will reconvene Monday at 10 a.m. for presentations from Planning, Constituent Services, and Communications, followed by council deliberations.